NATO members must cease purchasing Russian oil to strengthen their position against Moscow and hasten the end of the Ukraine conflict, according to U.S. President Donald Trump.
In a social media post from Basking Ridge, New Jersey, Trump criticized the alliance's commitment to the war as less than full, calling the continued oil purchases by some members shocking and detrimental to negotiations with Russia.
He argued that such actions weaken NATO's bargaining power significantly.
Trump stated that he is prepared to implement major sanctions on Russia once all NATO nations agree to do the same and halt their oil imports from the country.
He suggested that the alliance impose tariffs ranging from 50% to 100% on China to disrupt its economic influence over Russia, which he described as a strong grip that could be broken through these measures.
These tariffs would be withdrawn if the war, initiated by Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, concludes.
Trump emphasized that this combined strategy would greatly assist in ending what he called a deadly but ridiculous war.
Several NATO members, including Turkey as the third-largest buyer of Russian oil after China and India, along with Slovakia, have been involved in these purchases, according to the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air.
This comes amid heightened tensions following Russian drones entering Polish airspace, a NATO ally, which Poland shot down.
In the U.S., efforts are underway in Congress to support a bill for tougher sanctions.
Trump has already enacted a 25% import tax on goods from India due to its purchases of Russian energy products, though no similar measures have been applied to China yet.
He attributed responsibility for the ongoing conflict to his predecessor, Democrat Joe Biden, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, without mentioning Russian President Vladimir Putin.